Jason Witten Reportedly 'Blindsided' Cowboys by Retiring During 2018 NFL Draft

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is planning on retiring and becoming an analyst for ESPN's Monday Night Football, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.

And the news reportedly came as a shock to the Cowboys:

Mortensen reported that Witten would have a meeting with owner Jerry Jones to discuss his decision, with David Moore of the Dallas Morning News adding that it already took place: 

It isn't surprising that the Cowboys didn't see Witten's career change coming.

"There's been a lot of things [said] over the years, especially the last few months. I guess that's what happens when you get old," Witten said last week, per Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. "Hopefully I can play until I'm 40. I'll take it one day at a time. My plan is to be here with the Cowboys. Absolutely."

Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk added, "As recently as Tuesday, Jason Witten was not talking retirement. He hid this well if he was thinking about it then."

One thing that isn't surprising, however, is a former Cowboys' great making the transition to the broadcasting booth, as Jonathan Jones of SI.com noted:

Witten likely will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The 35-year-old will finish his career with 1,152 receptions for 12,448 yards and 68 touchdowns. He hasn't missed a game since his rookie season, the only game he missed in his career. The 11-time Pro Bowler is fourth on the all-time receptions list and second among tight ends behind only Tony Gonzalez (1,325).

His departure comes after the team released wideout Dez Bryant this offseason, meaning Dak Prescott will be without his two top options in the passing game from 2017. Suffice to say, the Cowboys likely will address both tight end and wide receiver in the upcoming rounds of the NFL draft.